Last post, I mentioned that I'm slowly but surely getting more and more into "slice of life" kind of anime.
I'm not entirely sure what's exactly pushed the change. My tastes used to be fairly conventional, with broad swathes of mecha and fantasy and the like. I still like those from time to time, but I find myself drawn more to looking for things that are somewhat different.
Now, this isn't entirely new. One of the anime that most truly hooked me on the form way back when was Kimagure Orange Road, and while it certainly had some fantastic elements, I wasn't even really aware of them at first. The local video store at the time had the OAVs and the first movie (which were all that had been published in English at that point.) In those stories, the wilder aspects of Kyosuke's powers didn't tend to have much of a rile. I mention KOR, because some of these shows are hitting me in some of the same ways.
A bit ago, I finished up one that's a kind of slice of life, but boy did it take some bizarre and unexpected twists. It's called Myself; Yourself
I may as well warn you, I may let some spoilers slip on all the stuff I'm going to talk about here to the end of the post. I'm just kind of rambling, musing and reacting, so if you don't want spoilers, it's a good time to go read your favorite webcomic.
I honestly don't know what to make of this one. It starts with a fairly simple and interesting premise, and then it just goes entirely into the land of bizarre. Just huge turn after huge turn. In the end, I'd probably say overwritten, but compelling for it.
What is it? Well, the initial premise is simple and interesting. The first scene is a group of friends in elementary school who are having a going away party for one of their number, a boy named Sana. His parents are moving to a new town, so he has to leave them. After that first scene, we jump to 4 years later. Sana is moving back to the town, but he's going to be living alone. (He'll be staying in an apartment owned by the mother of one of the other kids.)
So, now he has to reconnect with his old friends, and all of that. As I said, fairly simple. Back in the "old days" he'd been closest to one of the girls, Nanaka, and she was the one he was looking forward to seeing the most when he got back.
Well, suffice it to say, he really got off on the wrong foot with her upon his return, and she started to have something of a cold streak towards him. So far, a fairly straightforward setup for a romantic comedy, and the first few episodes are diverting, but fairly normal.
Yet, as the show goes on, you begin to get a sense that there's a huge amount more going on under the surface than you'd ever think.
In short, pretty much all the major characters except Aoi (the girl whose mother owns the apartment house) is carrying some pretty epic baggage. You have characters abused by their parents, neglected by their parents, and that's just the beginning. Honestly, it's just overdone in so many ways. Twists and turns that have to be seen to be believed. A light and fluffy series ends up as one with half a dozen major characters who have pain oozing from every gland.
I know I said spoilers before, but I'm just not sure that I want to share some of the moments, They have to be seen to be believed.
How would I rate it in the end? Honestly, I think I'd give it something along the line of a 6.5/10. It certainly doesn't rate as an all time favorite, but it has some interesting and powerful moments. I certainly wasn't inclined to stop watching once I hit the bizarro trainride.
Now, lets move on to something a bit more cheerful. I mentioned it last post, Sound! Euphonium
It's also a slice of life, but much more fun, and fluffier. In short, it begins with a Middle School band waiting for their grades in a competition. They're thrilled to find out that they got the gold medal, but then were crushed to find out that it was a "fake" gold. That is to say, while they scored gold, only the top 3 schools went on, and they were not in that top 3. It starts with two major characters. You have Kumiko, who is the main character, who plays a Euphonium (which I can relate to, having played the Baritone way back when.) Then you have Reina, who is an extremely good trumpet player.
When they hear the news about the fake gold, they have very different reactions. Kumiko isn't too disappointed, thinking they'd done pretty well overall. Reina though? She was entirely crushed, and got quite upset with Kumiko for not being as devestated as she was.
The series then jumps to High School. Evidently, Kumiko and Reina are the only people from that band who went to this particular school, and Kumiko actually went there to get away from band. Yet, she soon found herself in it, as was Reina (of course.)
From there, the story goes on, and we see a pretty interesting story of a very troubled band. The year before, it had broken down between people who wanted to work hard and push for high marks in competitions, and others who just wanted to have some fun, but not put in the effort. The scars of what was a pretty ugly fight are still hanging over the band, and it gets worse when a new teacher shows up. As you'd imagine, he's pretty unconventional (this is anime after all), but from there we have the story of the band growing together. I was glad to see that it is going to get a second season. Fun characters, a more interesting story than you would think that a High School Concert band would create. I'll give it 8.5/10
Ok, we've had one wierd one, and one cheerful one. Now, it's time to get to the last one, the one that's just plain hard. Your Lie in April.
I honestly think that this is the best anime I've seen in a decade, and maybe even longer than that. I mentioned a bit about it in my last post.
The main character is Kousei Arima, and at one time, he was one of the up and coming prodigy child pianists in Japan. However, one day in a competition, he just entirely lost it, and from that time, was simply unable to play. His long time best friend is Tsubaki, the neighbor girl. She can sense that losing his music is something that has "stopped Arima" in place, and she has a bit of a scheme to break him out of it.
There's another girl in the class by the name of Kaori, who is a competition level violinist, and Tsubaki essentially tricks him into going to a tourney with her in it. Well, where his play had always been precise like a metronome, her play was wild, carefree. He was smitten on the spot, but he also knew that she had a crush on another friend.
Well, that's just the setup, and from there, the story goes on to how Kosei slowly but surely manages to come out of his long funk. (Actually, a better way to say it would be that he got dragged out of his funk.)
More and more, you see just what lies behind Kosei's problems, and you see the people who care for him trying to help him. However, the story takes some pretty hard twists and turns along the way, and before you're halfway in, you know that something seriously bad is going to happen. (That's all I say.)
Moving, touching, if so very, very hard. One thing I like about it is that the characters are very real. We see some generally good people doing some nasty things, and then you see the person most would consider the "worst" person in the show with some genuine nobility. (I don't think it remotely makes up for what they did.)
You have Arima, the human punching bag. Really, the most troubling thing about the show is how badly so many people treat him, especially those who care for him the most. I don't know if he even realizes that it's not supposed to be that way. Then you have Kaori, who is quite frankly, kind of two faced and manipulative at times. I could go on, but you get the idea.
That said, it comes with my highest recommendation. It is hard, it may well make you choked up (or worse), but it's a great ride. 10/10.
Well, I doubt anyone's actually going to read this, but it was a nice diversion to jot my thoughts down. Not a complaint that people won't read it. I pretty much gave this blog up years ago, and it wasn't exactly a big winner back in the day.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
The Way Overdue Ashtur Anime Roundup
Well, I know that I always figured this thing would be sporadic. Would a post every couple of years count?
In any case, the muse has struck, and I thought I'd write a bit about some of the anime I've watched in the semi-recent past (call it the last year or so.)
It's kind of odd, I'd started watching back in the mid 90s, but really drifted away for an extended period of time, only to return in the last couple of years. I'm not sure what drew me back, but the ease of watching stuff on Crunchyroll and Hulu (and not paying big bucks to buy a series on hope) certainly hasn't hurt any. I consider both of those subs to be money well spent. Otherwise, blame it on a midlife crisis. So sue me.
Maybe I'll take a post or two at some point to get into these in depth, or maybe not. We'll see. No promises. However, let's get the show rolling. (I'll try not to drop big spoilers, but do beware.)
Lost in the MMO-verse
Two of the anime that got me back into things are a pair that came out more or less at the same time. I know that the respective fandoms have tended to snipe at one another, but I like them both. Neither is without flaws, but both are enjoyable.
Sword Art Online: I imagine that this one is a bit more famous. It certainly didn't hurt it any that it was shown on Cartoon Network. A fun show with appealing characters, but one that's also perfectly capable of grabbing you by the throat and squeezing the life out of you.
In short, it's set in a not terribly distant future, where virtual reality has improved to the point that the VR headset is able to supply a full 5-senses experience to the player. A new game opens up, and it turns out that it's all a horrible trap. It gives "permadeath" a whole new meaning. The opening concept is strong, and it gives the series an enormous amount of weight right from the start. That said, the initial problem is solved halfway into season one, and ever since, the show has been a bit uneven to my mind. It has some incredible moments, and I think that the biggest tearjerker in the whole series is the ending of Season 2, but it can struggle a bit. Well worth a watch to my mind.
Log Horizon: While in some ways the pretext sounds the same as SAO, they are very different shows. Even after two seasons, we're only beginning to get a sense of how the players of the game got sucked into their game.
Like SAO, I think that the show can be a bit uneven, especially in season 2. That said, it's never quite as serious as SAO, and really does seem to be a "love letter" to MMO players. The main characters are fun and appealing, and it's well worth a watch.
Magic and Mayhem
The Irregular at Magic High School: Another fun show that does a nice job of slowly but surely sucking people in. The cast of characters is extremely interesting, and it does a good job of building a world where magic and technology have begun to bleed together.
If I have a concern with the show, it's with the protagonist and his sister. In short, the main character may be the most OP Gary Stu I've seen in a long, long time. His sister? If you think that the relationship between Kirito/Kazuto and Leafa/Sugu in Sword Art could get a bit troublesome, then hold on to your hat. Still though, well worth the watch.
Fate/Stay Night: I'll have to admit, I've not seen all of this. I've seen the original series and Fate/Zero. It's got an intriguing premise and some pretty interesting characters. That said, be prepared for it to take half the season for you not to want to throw things at the screen whenever the main character is on. He's not exactly the brightest bulb in the box.
Maoyu: A short series by the same guy that wrote Log Horizon. Who knew that an extended lesson in economics could actually make for a fun anime? That sounds odd, but it's true. The premise is a bit odd. The Demon King (who is actually a very busty girl) marries the Hero so that they could work together to bring peace. By the way, that's their names. One of the little odd touches.
Slice of Life:
This category is the one that's surprised me the most. One nice things about the growth of streaming anime is that some stuff has gotten brought over that might not have made it back in the DVD only days. Even if it did come out, I probably wouldn't have taken a chance on it, considering the price tag. That said, these have grown to be some of my favorite shows.
Your Lie in April. Remember how I said that Sword Art can grab you by the throat and squeeze? Your Lie will grab you by the throat, rip it out,stomp on it, and leave it lying in the dust. It is incredibly powerful, incredibly beautiful and incredibly hard at some points.
The main character is Arima Kosei. He was an up and coming pianist, easily considered the best in Japan in his age bracket, until it all fell apart. The story begins a few years later, and Kosei is still suffering from some extreme mental blocks that keep him from playing the piano. Then, he meets the world's weirdest violin player. I just can't give this enough thumbsup. It's utterly fantastic. Probably the best series I've seen in the last decade. Bring kleenex.
Sound! Euphonium Another musical anime, but without the emotional baseball bat. It's the story of a High School Concert band, and how they deal with their new director (among other things.) A very appealing cast of characters, and while my band days are long past, I do relate. This is one that will sneak up on you, and I was very glad to see a second season announced.
Out of Left Field.
I don't have a better description for this last series, because it's not something I'd have ever expected myself to like on so many levels.
Saki (including Achiga Side A) Um, yeah. An anime about Japanese style mah-jong. It gets wierder, because the series has some not exactly subtle Yuri overtones, so really not my thing. Yet somehow, it sucked me in. The short form is that it's set in a universe where Riichi Mah-jong is incredibly popular, with High School tournaments being televised nationwide, and people watching in giant screens on the street. Further, many of the players come equipped with various superhuman powers (the ability to influence luck, see the future, and the like.)
So, the story begins with Miyanaga Saki, a first year at Kiyosumi High School. She used to play mah-jong at home with her family quite often, but that has actually left her with something of a distaste for the game. Well, she got suckered into playing a few games with the club, and as you'd expect, she's good. Really good. She's one of the superhuman "monsters." She ends up making friends and joining the club, finally finding the ability to enjoy the game. She also gives the team the 5th member they need to compete in team tournaments. Those tournaments become the heart of the plot, as the team begins to march towards the nationals.
There is also a side story which focuses on Achiga Girls High School, which is one of the others in the tourney, and in some ways, I like it better than the main series. You get a whole new set of characters, and they also are on their way to nationals.
I can't say why, but I just like the silly thing.
I may poke up more, and explain a bit more on some of these, or even mention a few other things, but this is enough of a start I expect.
In any case, the muse has struck, and I thought I'd write a bit about some of the anime I've watched in the semi-recent past (call it the last year or so.)
It's kind of odd, I'd started watching back in the mid 90s, but really drifted away for an extended period of time, only to return in the last couple of years. I'm not sure what drew me back, but the ease of watching stuff on Crunchyroll and Hulu (and not paying big bucks to buy a series on hope) certainly hasn't hurt any. I consider both of those subs to be money well spent. Otherwise, blame it on a midlife crisis. So sue me.
Maybe I'll take a post or two at some point to get into these in depth, or maybe not. We'll see. No promises. However, let's get the show rolling. (I'll try not to drop big spoilers, but do beware.)
Lost in the MMO-verse
Two of the anime that got me back into things are a pair that came out more or less at the same time. I know that the respective fandoms have tended to snipe at one another, but I like them both. Neither is without flaws, but both are enjoyable.
Sword Art Online: I imagine that this one is a bit more famous. It certainly didn't hurt it any that it was shown on Cartoon Network. A fun show with appealing characters, but one that's also perfectly capable of grabbing you by the throat and squeezing the life out of you.
In short, it's set in a not terribly distant future, where virtual reality has improved to the point that the VR headset is able to supply a full 5-senses experience to the player. A new game opens up, and it turns out that it's all a horrible trap. It gives "permadeath" a whole new meaning. The opening concept is strong, and it gives the series an enormous amount of weight right from the start. That said, the initial problem is solved halfway into season one, and ever since, the show has been a bit uneven to my mind. It has some incredible moments, and I think that the biggest tearjerker in the whole series is the ending of Season 2, but it can struggle a bit. Well worth a watch to my mind.
Log Horizon: While in some ways the pretext sounds the same as SAO, they are very different shows. Even after two seasons, we're only beginning to get a sense of how the players of the game got sucked into their game.
Like SAO, I think that the show can be a bit uneven, especially in season 2. That said, it's never quite as serious as SAO, and really does seem to be a "love letter" to MMO players. The main characters are fun and appealing, and it's well worth a watch.
Magic and Mayhem
The Irregular at Magic High School: Another fun show that does a nice job of slowly but surely sucking people in. The cast of characters is extremely interesting, and it does a good job of building a world where magic and technology have begun to bleed together.
If I have a concern with the show, it's with the protagonist and his sister. In short, the main character may be the most OP Gary Stu I've seen in a long, long time. His sister? If you think that the relationship between Kirito/Kazuto and Leafa/Sugu in Sword Art could get a bit troublesome, then hold on to your hat. Still though, well worth the watch.
Fate/Stay Night: I'll have to admit, I've not seen all of this. I've seen the original series and Fate/Zero. It's got an intriguing premise and some pretty interesting characters. That said, be prepared for it to take half the season for you not to want to throw things at the screen whenever the main character is on. He's not exactly the brightest bulb in the box.
Maoyu: A short series by the same guy that wrote Log Horizon. Who knew that an extended lesson in economics could actually make for a fun anime? That sounds odd, but it's true. The premise is a bit odd. The Demon King (who is actually a very busty girl) marries the Hero so that they could work together to bring peace. By the way, that's their names. One of the little odd touches.
Slice of Life:
This category is the one that's surprised me the most. One nice things about the growth of streaming anime is that some stuff has gotten brought over that might not have made it back in the DVD only days. Even if it did come out, I probably wouldn't have taken a chance on it, considering the price tag. That said, these have grown to be some of my favorite shows.
Your Lie in April. Remember how I said that Sword Art can grab you by the throat and squeeze? Your Lie will grab you by the throat, rip it out,stomp on it, and leave it lying in the dust. It is incredibly powerful, incredibly beautiful and incredibly hard at some points.
The main character is Arima Kosei. He was an up and coming pianist, easily considered the best in Japan in his age bracket, until it all fell apart. The story begins a few years later, and Kosei is still suffering from some extreme mental blocks that keep him from playing the piano. Then, he meets the world's weirdest violin player. I just can't give this enough thumbsup. It's utterly fantastic. Probably the best series I've seen in the last decade. Bring kleenex.
Sound! Euphonium Another musical anime, but without the emotional baseball bat. It's the story of a High School Concert band, and how they deal with their new director (among other things.) A very appealing cast of characters, and while my band days are long past, I do relate. This is one that will sneak up on you, and I was very glad to see a second season announced.
Out of Left Field.
I don't have a better description for this last series, because it's not something I'd have ever expected myself to like on so many levels.
Saki (including Achiga Side A) Um, yeah. An anime about Japanese style mah-jong. It gets wierder, because the series has some not exactly subtle Yuri overtones, so really not my thing. Yet somehow, it sucked me in. The short form is that it's set in a universe where Riichi Mah-jong is incredibly popular, with High School tournaments being televised nationwide, and people watching in giant screens on the street. Further, many of the players come equipped with various superhuman powers (the ability to influence luck, see the future, and the like.)
So, the story begins with Miyanaga Saki, a first year at Kiyosumi High School. She used to play mah-jong at home with her family quite often, but that has actually left her with something of a distaste for the game. Well, she got suckered into playing a few games with the club, and as you'd expect, she's good. Really good. She's one of the superhuman "monsters." She ends up making friends and joining the club, finally finding the ability to enjoy the game. She also gives the team the 5th member they need to compete in team tournaments. Those tournaments become the heart of the plot, as the team begins to march towards the nationals.
There is also a side story which focuses on Achiga Girls High School, which is one of the others in the tourney, and in some ways, I like it better than the main series. You get a whole new set of characters, and they also are on their way to nationals.
I can't say why, but I just like the silly thing.
I may poke up more, and explain a bit more on some of these, or even mention a few other things, but this is enough of a start I expect.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)